As the government shutdown leads to a suspension of SNAP (CalFresh) benefits, thousands of families in our community are facing an unexpected food crisis. Your donation this November will go directly to helping these families, children, and seniors put food on the table.
When shopping, please consider donating items from our "Most Needed" list. These are the items most requested by food banks as they provide the best nutritional value and are staples for creating meals.

Food banks prioritize nutritious, non-perishable items. Think of the staples you use to cook a meal.

Most Critical Needs:

• Canned Proteins: Tuna, chicken, salmon (packed in water), and beans (black, pinto, kidney).
• Pantry Staples: Peanut butter (or other nut butters), rice (brown or wild is preferred), pasta (whole grain is preferred), and pasta sauce.
• Meals in a Can: Hearty soups, stews, and chili (look for easy "pop-top" lids).

Important Breakfast Items:

• Low-Sugar Cereal & Oatmeal
• Shelf-Stable Milk: Powdered milk, or evaporated/condensed milk. Shelf-stable cartons (like almond, soy, or oat milk) are also great.

Fruits & Vegetables:

• Canned Vegetables: (Low-sodium or no-salt-added) such as green beans, corn, and peas.
• Canned Fruit: (Packed in its own juice or light syrup) such as peaches, pears, and pineapple.
• Applesauce (no sugar added)

Cooking Essentials:

• Cooking Oils (olive or canola)
• Spices & Broth (basics like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and canned/boxed chicken, vegetable, or beef broth).

Fruits & Vegetables:

• Canned Vegetables: (Low-sodium or no-salt-added) such as green beans, corn, and peas.
• Canned Fruit: (Packed in its own juice or light syrup) such as peaches, pears, and pineapple.
• Applesauce (no sugar added)

Cooking Essentials:

• Cooking Oils (olive or canola)
• Spices & Broth (basics like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and canned/boxed chicken, vegetable, or beef broth).

Don't Forget Non-Food Essentials!
Many families also struggle to afford basic hygiene items, which are not covered by food stamps. These are often in very high demand.

• Diapers and Baby Wipes
• Menstrual Products (tampons and pads)
• Toiletries: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, and shampoo
• Household Supplies: Toilet paper, paper towels, and dish soap

To ensure safety and reduce waste, food banks must throw away items that don't meet guidelines. Please do not donate the following:

• Glass Jars: Items in glass containers (like pasta sauce or pickles) can shatter easily in collection bins. Please opt for plastic or cans.
• Expired or "Sell-By" Date Items: Anything past its expiration or "sell-by" date. (A good rule: if you wouldn't eat it, please don't donate it).
• Opened or Damaged Items: Any package that is already open, torn, or has a broken seal.
• Dented or Bulging Cans: This can be a sign of botulism.
• Homemade Food / Leftovers: For safety and health regulations, food banks cannot accept homemade goods.
• Perishable Items: Anything that needs refrigeration (fresh produce, dairy, meat) should not be left in the foyer.
• Alcohol

Your donation is critical right now. Here’s a brief look at the situation and where you can learn more.

• The Urgent Need: Approximately 5.5 million Californians rely on CalFresh (SNAP) to feed their families. Over 63% of recipients are in households with children or seniors. The sudden suspension of these benefits is putting an immense strain on local food banks, which are now the front line of defense against hunger for these families.
• Local & State Resources:
  • Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Our primary local partner in fighting hunger. You can learn more about their work and specific needs. www.lafoodbank.org
  • California Association of Food Banks (CAFB): A statewide network that supports food banks across California. Their site is an excellent resource for understanding the scope of hunger in our state. www.cafoodbanks.org
  • CalFresh Program: To learn more about the program affected by the shutdown, you can visit the official California Department of Social Services page. www.cdss.ca.gov/calfresh